His values as an educator center on meeting the needs of students, and the importance of teaching as the foundation of higher education. Dr. Adames’ student-centered approach to offering students the highest quality academic and support programs has garnered him recognition as a leader in higher education. His extensive experience includes working with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, where he has served as an evaluator and evaluation team chair. He also was a project director for various federal and state grants totaling more than $9 million.
Dr. Adames brings to Bergen a dedication to excellence and accountability honed as the Provost and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at Union County College and during his 16 years at Kean University, where he served as a faculty member, a director, associate dean and dean.
Committed to integrity, fairness and to the importance of working in collaboration with all of the stakeholders that comprise the College community, he engages faculty and staff in the pursuit of academic excellence. As a strong supporter of the rights of individuals, he encourages College employees at all levels to express their beliefs and viewpoints, and he upholds their right to disagree within the framework of civility.
Dr. Adames earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree at Seton Hall University. He achieved a doctorate in Applied Linguistics from Teacher’s College at Columbia University.
Throughout his three decades in higher education administration, Dr. Adames has continued his scholarly and professional interest by giving presentations at local and national conferences including the 41st Annual Leadership Congress of the Association of Community College Trustees in Toronto, Canada. In fall 2011, Dr. Adames will present at two conferences, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and the Assessment Institute in Indianapolis. He also will chair a Middle States evaluation team to an institution in Puerto Rico during the next academic year.
Dr. Adames earned the 2009 International Exemplary Leader Award at the 8th annual International Leadership Conference of the Chair Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. The same year, the Middle States Regional Forum, the College Board, in Baltimore, Maryland recognized Dr. Adames with the William U. Harris Award for demonstrating extraordinary leadership skills in education.
Dr. Adames has demonstrated his commitment to the local community through his participation in various community advisory boards. He is a resident of Bridgewater, NJ.